Namaste Sugar Land yogi and friends! We have a new blog and are so excited to use it to share thoughts, recipes, ideas, and more! If you would like to contribute to our blog, please email us at info@awakenedyogastudio.com and let us know what you would

Two years ago I started my yoga practice at Awakened Yoga Studio. I started because of a very painful heel spur that was not getting better. I was excited to attend the “From Ouch to Ahhh“ series because my injury was much more than an annoyance. The series was great! I learned much more about my injury and about strengthening that area. It gave me a better understanding of the various joints in conjunction with the yoga poses and how this knowledge can help with injury prevention. No one wants an injury!! Knowledge is KEY!!! Not to mention… Dr. Sophia is awesome!!!

Ah meditation…. We hear about it all the time. Our yoga teachers talk about it, the news guys say it reduces stress and doctors recommend it. However most of the time when we sit down to do it we either fall asleep or come up with a wicked to-do list. So what’s the deal?

Meditation is a great practice to add to your yoga routine or simply do on its own. However, just as the case with yoga, meditation is a PRACTICE. Every day will look different and it’s a skill you have to learn with time. The act itself is super easy. Training the mind to be silent is where the skill comes in. So why bother with it? It will reduce stress and help you focus and if all else fails you will have one super organized to-do list.

Just as with yoga you need to commit to the practice. Find a time in the day where you can spend 5-10 minutes in solitude with no interruptions. Pick a spot to sit up right with a cushion or a yoga block/blanket under your tailbone so that your knees can touch the floor. I recommend this position because it is comfortable to sit in for extended periods of time. I also recommend starting your meditation practice in a sitting position as opposed to anything else in the beginning. I believe that sitting upright will keep you alert enough so that you won’t fall asleep but can be relaxed. As you become more disciplined with your meditation practice you can play around with where you are most comfortable doing it (in bed, legs up the wall, walking, eating…etc).

In an easy pose or lotus (your choice) rest the palms of the hands on the knees and begin to establish your breath. Do not change or manipulate the breath just notice it. Stay with the inhales and exhales. Notice the depth or the sound. Just be aware.

I recommend using a timer app in the beginning. I use the insight app. This particular timer gives you a certain amount of time to settle in and notice the breath before using a chime to signal when the meditation should begin.

Scan the body. Starting at the top of your head consciously release areas of tension. Relaxing your face and dropping your mask is first. Relax your jaw and rest the tip of the tongue against the back of the teeth. Relaxing your throat and so on all the way down to your tippy toes.

Using your natural breath begin to count.

1 –inhale

2- exhale

and so on. Only count the natural breath do not force or manipulate it. You will count to ten and repeat.

Simple right? Yes….and so much no.

Things to help you establish this as routine and get into a nice groove:

Create a starting ritual. I like to burn incense. I use it every time and now when I smell Nag Champa I instantly relax. You could burn a candle, ring a tingsha chime or singing bowl, or twerk for a few minutes. It doesn’t matter what you do it’s your thing do it your way. Just make sure you do it every time. This help signals the mind to settle down.

I have an altar. This isn’t an altar where I sacrifice goats to spirits unknown or any type of worship really. This altar is just a nice little place where you have things that mean something to you. Pictures of loved ones, tokens, candles etc. Again this is deeply personal so make it yours.

Thoughts…so now you are in easy pose, counting your breath and your butt itches….acknowledge it and let it go. You remembered who sang that song you heard in flow the other day….let it go. Crap! You have to bring the snacks to jr’s preschool tomorrow….let it go. You can’t escape the monkey mind that comes with meditation anymore that you can stop the fear of inverting the first time. Just like killer handstands meditation takes a lot of wiggle room in the beginning. PRACTICE y’all. Be patient with yourself.

It’s best to accept this when you get started. Just let the thoughts float by and suddenly the timer will ding one day and you will realize you were zen’d out the entire time. It just takes a daily practice and patience with yourself. It’s important to remember that even the most disciplined of the Buddhist monks is sitting in temple somewhere wondering what’s for dinner. You are not alone this happens to everyone.

It’s important to start slow. Set your timer for 5 minutes for the first week. Dedicate just five minutes a day to your meditation practice. After that first week you can creep up to 10 and so on. Take small steps to avoid frustration in the beginning. The most important part is showing up, just like your yoga practice.

After the first couple of days you will start to notice how refreshed you can feel after this time you dedicate to yourself. It will become addictive. My husband is very aware when I haven’t meditated now. My dad says “something has changed about you Sissy, you are so different.” I’m not really different I just have a new perspective because of the time I have given my mind to shut down and turn inward. It’s so important to give ourselves this type of self love. You will think clearer and find yourself less reactive to situations. And if all else fails you will have an awesome to-do list ☺

We've had A LOT of questions regarding KICKASANA 2016, and hopefully this blog post will answer a few questions!

When does it start?May 1st

How much is it?FREE TO SIGN UP, just pay for your yoga!

What is required?-20 yoga classes at Awakened Yoga in 31 days-20 Meditation times at home in 31 days

Extra information regarding the Challenge-NO MEETINGS!-Workshops count as 1 class. -You can double up on yoga classes.-Meditation can be done for any length of time.-We've updated our class schedule, so use KICKASANA as an opportunity to try out a new class or class time!

How do I keep track of my classes and meditation times?We will be providing you with a postcard that you will leave at the yoga studio with your name on it. Each time you take a class or meditate, grab your card and have our front desk person give it a whole punch!

Why did you add Meditation to the challenge this year?May is National Month of Meditation! We wanted to encourage everyone to continue the meditation practice that you started from The 40 Day Challenge, check in with it, or create a new practice!

I don't meditate and don't want to do the challenge!Don't worry, this is all on your own, and YOU create the length of time you meditate. We will be providing you with materials on setting up your meditation practice along with tips and tricks to get you started! Think of this as an opportunity to grow your yoga practice. Yoga is not just about classes and asanas (poses) but about the mind as well. Don't get discouraged!

So....what am I supposed to think about and do for the time I am meditating on my own?Meditation is time for you to quiet your mind. If you have never meditated before, just spend 5 minutes to yourself sitting quietly or focus on your breath, just like at the beginning of each yoga class. We will provide you with you tube videos and podcast information to help with guided meditation if you find yourself struggling.

I already meditate, how can this help my meditation practice?Use this as an opportunity for growth! Start with 5 minutes the first week and increase by 5 minutes each week until the end of May! This part of the challenge is all about YOU, create the opportunity to push yourself just like you are with your classes.

I'm going to be gone a few days in May.....Don't worry you can take as many classes as you need per day to get all your 20 yoga classes completed! We just recommend an average of 5 per week.